HOW CAN YOUR ALLERGIES BE TREATED?

OUR PATIENTS SAY:

"I thought I had a cold I just couldn’t shake. But Dr. Funkhouser determined that our cat, Sam, was part of the problem. After a thorough examination and some testing, Dr. Funkhouser immunized me against my allergies with special shots. Now I can be around pets without sneezing – and my asthma is a nonissue."

"I spent almost two years confined to my home because of severe asthma, allergies and chronic fatigue syndrome. I was so weak that I had to use a wheelchair, and memory loss prevented me from teaching. Dr. Rupp literally gave my life back. After a year of treatment, I'm back to work again and have the energy to enjoy life again."

"I love golf, but every time I played I had a hard time breathing. Then there were the headaches and postnasal drip. Dr. Gaines discovered that I have chronic allergies. By following a few simple steps in his treatment program, I now have it under control."

There are many causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment plans for allergy and asthma diseases. The best treatment for allergies lies in identifying the offending substances, then carefully avoiding exposure to them. This can be very effective with allergens like pets and foods, but is not possible for some allergens such as pollens, mold spores and house dust.

Medications such as antihistamines, oral decongestants, nasal sprays and bronchodilators may be effective in controlling your allergic symptoms. Medications may be used along with immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy, commonly referred to as "allergy shots," is a program designed to desensitize you to substances you are allergic to. Repeated injections of a sterile mixture of the substances causing your allergies, allows your immune system to build up protection against them. After several months of injections of increasingly stronger doses, a maintenance dose is reached. The dosage size and length of intervals between doses depends on your response to the injections. An ongoing program of avoidance, medication and, when indicated, immunotherapy -- or a combination of these methods -- is the best approach to controlling your allergies and allowing you to live comfortably in your environment.